Many areas of NSW declared as a disaster zone

Many areas in New South Wales have been declared disaster zones following heavy rains which have caused widespread flooding. Many thousands of residents in Bourke, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Kempsey and other communities along the mid-north coast have been isolated. Over 100,000 livestock are thought to have drowned in the past week. Weather forecasters have said that the main storm system has passed and floodwaters are likely to recede completely over the next few days.